Wednesday 13 March 2024

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Today is Wednesday the 13th of March, in the fourth week of Lent.

Jon Guerra sings, ‘Declaring Glory’. In today’s passage we will hear of nature breaking forth and singing of God’s comfort and compassion. Are you able to join in with this song today?

When I was young

You woke me with the sound of song

The wind and rhythm drew me along

I echoed in the hymn of the dawn

I turned, and turned

This dance that all the planets learned

In circles, 'round the stars as they burned

I praise You as I orbit and turn

Declaring glory, glory

Declaring glory, glory

The mountains rise

The forests grow before my eyes

The moments and the seasons in mind

Then turn again, embracing the tide

The waters fall

And carve their way across my soil

Their canyons cutting deep in my soul

I praise You while the rivers still roar

Declaring glory, glory

Declaring glory, glory

New life begins

Your creatures dance across my skin

Like me, they have Your Spirit within

But soon they fade away as I spin

They fall to dust

And dress me in decay and rust

Their secrets buried deep in my crust

I praise You in the layers of dust

Declaring glory, glory

Declaring glory, glory

All the rocks wear down

Beneath passing of the crowds

The rivers run until they run out

I praise You till my fire's run out

I praise You till my fire's run out

I praise You till my fire's run out

I'll praise my Maker in every age

I'll praise my Maker in every age

I'll praise my Maker in every age (glory, glory)

I'll praise my Maker in every age (glory, glory)

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 49:8-15

Thus says the Lord:

In a time of favour I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you;

I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people,

to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages;

saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out’, to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’

They shall feed along the ways, on all the bare heights shall be their pasture;

they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down,

for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.

And I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised up.

Lo, these shall come from far away, and lo, these from the north and from the west,

 and these from the land of Syene.

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!

For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones.

But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.’

Can a woman forget her nursing-child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb?

Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.

Today you are reminded that the Lord promises to keep, help and comfort you.

Think about times the Lord has answered your prayers and helped you.

What do you want to say to God about his care?

Say it now.

God promises springs of water along the way that leads you home.

On your journey of faith, where do you need a spring of water to refresh you?

Ask the Lord for this help.

Listen for the Lord’s response.

‘Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!’

As you listen again, imagine the sound of the heavens and earth singing for joy.

In these final moments, allow yourself to be held and cradled by the One who says: ‘I will not forget you’.

You have given all to me

To you, Lord, I return it

Everything is Yours, do with it what you will

Give me only your love and Your grace

That is enough for me

Amen.